Information providing apparatus, information providing method, non-transitory recording medium recorded with information providing program, and non-transitory recording medium recorded with user terminal control program

ABSTRACT

An information providing apparatus includes an information storage unit configured to store a plurality of pieces of information concerning objects, a first display data providing unit configured to provide first display data for arranging and displaying a plurality of display regions on a display screen of a user terminal in a predetermined display shape respectively in correspondence with a plurality of objects such that a part of the information stored in the information storage unit is displayed in the plurality of display regions, a switching instruction acquiring unit configured to acquire a switching instruction from the user terminal in response to a first operation performed on the display regions displayed on the display screen, and an information switching unit configured to, when the switching instruction acquiring unit has acquired the switching instruction, switch information displayed in the display regions based on the first display data.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage of International Application No.PCT/IB2019/050167 filed Jan. 9, 2019, claiming priority based onJapanese Patent Application No. 2018-006002 filed Jan. 17, 2018, theentire contents of each of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus, aninformation providing method, a non-transitory recording medium recordedwith an information providing program, and a non-transitory recordingmedium recorded with a user terminal control program.

2. Description of Related Art

There is known an apparatus that searches for a transaction target(s)such as a sale item or a shop, and displays a list of search results.The display format of the list, such as the number of transactiontargets displayed in the list, the size of photographs, andpresence/absence of an explanation text, can be changed by a useroperation. In addition, the user can select a transaction target fromthe list to display detailed information of the selected transactiontarget. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No.2014-029588 discloses such a technology.

However, according to the above-mentioned technology, when the userwants to confirm a particular piece of information (e.g., a shippingcharge or a delivery time) among detailed information of a plurality ofobjects (including transaction targets), the user needs to displaydetailed information of an object from the list, then display the listagain, and display detailed information of another object. Accordingly,the user may need to perform operations many times, and the operationsmay be troublesome to the user.

In addition, when the user changes the display format of the list, thenumber of objects displayed in the list or the layout of the list may bechanged. This may cause the user to feel difficulty in confirming theinformation of the objects. In addition, even if the display format ofthe list is changed by the operation of the user, information of anobject that the user wants to confirm may not be displayed in the list.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an information providing apparatus, aninformation providing method, a non-transitory recording medium recordedwith an information providing program, and a non-transitory recordingmedium recorded with a user terminal control program which allow usersto easily confirm information of a desired object.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to an informationproviding apparatus including an information storage unit configured tostore a plurality of pieces of information concerning objects, a firstdisplay data providing unit configured to provide first display data forarranging and displaying a plurality of display regions on a displayscreen of a user terminal in a predetermined display shape respectivelyin correspondence with a plurality of objects such that a part of theinformation stored in the information storage unit is displayed in theplurality of display regions, a switching instruction acquiring unitconfigured to acquire a switching instruction from the user terminal inresponse to a first operation performed on the display regions displayedon the display screen, and an information switching unit configured to,when the switching instruction acquiring unit has acquired the switchinginstruction, switch information displayed in the display regions basedon the first display data.

In the above aspect, the switching instruction acquiring unit mayacquire the switching instruction by recognizing, as the firstoperation, a scroll operation performed on the display regions displayedon the display screen.

In the above aspect, the switching instruction acquiring unit mayacquire the switching instruction by recognizing, as the firstoperation, a swipe operation performed on the display regions displayedon the display screen.

In the above aspect, the information switching unit may switchinformation displayed in a display region in which the first operationhas been performed, among the plurality of arranged display regions.

In the above aspect, the first display data providing unit may providethe first display data for dividing each of the display regions into aplurality of sub regions for display, and the information switching unitmay switch the information displayed in the display regions based on asub region in which the first operation has been performed.

In the above aspect, the information providing apparatus may furtherinclude a second display data providing unit configured to providesecond display data for displaying detailed information of an objectcorresponding to a display region in which a second operation has beenperformed. When the second operation is performed in the display regionamong the plurality of display regions displayed on the display screen,the second display data providing unit may provide the second displaydata for displaying detailed information of the object corresponding tothe display region in which the second operation has been performed.

In the above aspect, the information switching unit may switch a type ofinformation displayed in the display regions while maintaining a shapeof each of the display regions.

In the above aspect, the information switching unit may switch the typeof information displayed in the display regions while maintaining todisplay the display regions on the display screen.

In the above aspect, the information switching unit may change a shapeof each of the display regions displayed on the display screen of theuser terminal while fixing a position of a part of each of the displayregions, and switches the type of information displayed in the displayregions.

In the above aspect, the information switching unit may change a shapeof each of the display regions that are scrollably displayed on thedisplay screen of the user terminal, while fixing a scroll position onthe display regions, and switches the type of information displayed inthe display regions.

In the above aspect, the information switching unit may notify the userterminal that not all of information available is displayed in thedisplay regions.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to an informationproviding method including storing a plurality of pieces of informationconcerning objects, providing first display data for arranging anddisplaying a plurality of display regions on a display screen of a userterminal in a predetermined display shape respectively in correspondencewith a plurality of objects such that a part of the stored informationis displayed in the plurality of display regions, acquiring a switchinginstruction from the user terminal in response to a first operationperformed on the display regions displayed on the display screen, andwhen the switching instruction has been acquired, switching informationdisplayed in the display regions based on the first display data.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to a non-transitoryrecording medium recorded with an information providing program designedto function a computer. The information providing program includes afunction to store a plurality of pieces of information concerningobjects, a function to provide first display data for arranging anddisplaying a plurality of display regions on a display screen of a userterminal in a predetermined display shape respectively in correspondencewith a plurality of objects such that a part of the stored informationis displayed in the plurality of display regions, a function to acquirea switching instruction from the user terminal in response to a firstoperation performed on the display regions displayed on the displayscreen, and a function to, when the switching instruction has beenacquired, switch information displayed in the display regions based onthe first display data.

A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a non-transitoryrecording medium recorded with a user terminal control program designedto function a computer. The user terminal control program includes afirst display data acquiring function to acquire, from an informationproviding apparatus, first display data for displaying a plurality ofdisplay regions in a predetermined display shape respectively incorrespondence with a plurality of objects such that a part of aplurality of pieces of information concerning the objects is displayedin the plurality of display regions, a first display data displayingfunction to arrange and display the plurality of display regions on adisplay screen based on the acquired first display data, and a switchinginstruction providing function to provide the information providingapparatus with a switching instruction instructing to switch informationdisplayed in the display regions in response to a first operationperformed on the display regions displayed on the display screen.

The above aspects provide an information providing apparatus, aninformation providing method, a non-transitory recording medium recordedwith an information providing program, and a non-transitory recordingmedium recorded with a user terminal control program which allow usersto easily confirm information of a desired object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denotelike elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a software configurationof an information providing apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configurationof the information providing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of an informationproviding program according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are diagrams showing a first example of displayinginformation concerning objects according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are diagrams showing a second example of displayinginformation concerning objects according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are diagrams showing a third example of displayinginformation concerning objects according to the embodiment; and

FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C are diagrams showing a fourth example of displayinginformation concerning objects according to the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following describes, in detail, an information providing apparatus,an information providing method, a non-transitory recording mediumrecorded with an information providing program, and a non-transitoryrecording medium recorded with a user terminal control program accordingto an embodiment of the present invention with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

First, with reference to FIG. 1, a software configuration of theinformation providing apparatus is described. FIG. 1 is a block diagramshowing an example of the software configuration of the informationproviding apparatus according to the embodiment.

In FIG. 1, an information providing apparatus 1 has functions of aninformation storage unit 11, a first display data providing unit 12, asecond display data providing unit 13, a switching instruction acquiringunit 14, an information switching unit 15, a switching means providingunit 16, and a searching means providing unit 17. The present embodimentis described on the assumption that the above-mentioned functions of theinformation providing apparatus 1 are function modules realized by aninformation providing program (software) that controls the informationproviding apparatus 1.

The information providing apparatus 1 is configured to provide a userterminal 2 with a plurality of types of information concerning objects.The term “objects” refers to a plurality of targets that may bedisplayed in a list. Each object has a plurality of types ofinformation. The objects may be, for example, stores, commercialproducts, hotels, or services. For example, in a case where the objectsare restaurants, information concerning the objects may be a store name,a photograph, a nearest station, an average budget, a special feature ofthe store, latest information, the number of chairs, presence/absence ofprivate rooms, availability of a room buyout, availability of creditcard use, availability of smoking, and reservable courses, for each ofthe restaurants. In addition, “types” in “a plurality of types ofinformation concerning objects” refers to “types” in a plurality oftypes of information concerning objects like the above-described ones.One object may include a plurality of types of information. In a casewhere the objects are commercial products, information concerning theobjects may be a seller, a product name, a delivery time, and/or anevaluation (the number of stars), for each of the commercial products.Furthermore, in a case where the objects are hotels, informationconcerning the objects may be a hotel name, a nearest station, anevaluation (the number of stars), availability of free Wi-Fi,accommodation plans, and/or hotel charges, for each of the hotels. Inthe present embodiment, descriptions are given on the assumption thatthe objects are restaurants. It is noted that, in the embodiment of thepresent invention, the objects are not limited to restaurants or hotels,but may be other types of facilities or products.

The information providing apparatus 1 is configured to provide the userterminal 2 with display data for displaying a list of stores that aredisplayed as specific examples of the objects. The user terminal 2 is,for example, a desk top PC, a note PC, a tablet PC, or a smartphone.FIG. 1 shows a smartphone as an example of the user terminal 2. Theinformation providing apparatus 1, for example, provides the userterminal 2 with display data for allowing a user to search for a store,and provides the user terminal 2 with display data for displaying a listof a plurality of stores resulted from a search by the user. It is notedthat processes executed by the user terminal 2 as described below arerealized when the user terminal 2 executes a user terminal controlprogram that causes the user terminal 2 to execute various processes. Itis noted that the present invention may be embodied as a recordingmedium recorded with the user terminal control program.

The information providing apparatus 1 is connected to the user terminal2 such that it can communicate with the user terminal 2 via a network 9in wired or wireless communication. The network 9 may include acommunication facility (not shown) such as a base station of mobilephones. In addition, the information providing apparatus 1 maycommunicate with a plurality of user terminals 2.

The information storage unit 11 stores a plurality of pieces ofinformation concerning objects. For example, the information storageunit 11 stores, with respect to each of the stores, a store name, aphotograph, a nearest station, an average budget, a special feature ofthe store, latest information, the number of chairs, presence/absence ofprivate rooms, availability of a room buyout, availability of creditcard use, availability of smoking, and reservable courses, as describedabove. The information storage unit 11 stores arbitrary informationassociated with the objects. For example, the information storage unit11 stores, as the information associated with the objects, the number oftypes of information, the amount of information, and data formats (textdata, image data, etc.).

The first display data providing unit 12 provides first display data forarranging and displaying a plurality of display regions on a displayscreen of the user terminal 2 in a predetermined display shaperespectively in correspondence with a plurality of objects such that apart of information stored in the information storage unit 11 isdisplayed in the plurality of display regions. In the presentembodiment, the display regions are a plurality of operation targetsarranged on the display screen of the user terminal 2. A plurality ofdisplay regions are arranged on the display screen of the user terminal2, and displayed as a list. That is, the display regions are displayunits in which the objects are displayed as a list, and the displayregions are operation units in which the objects are operated. Detailsof the operations that can be performed on the display regions aredescribed below.

The display regions have a predetermined display format. The displayformat includes, for example, a size (the number of dots) of the displayregion corresponding to the resolution of the display screen of the userterminal 2, a shape of the display region, a type of informationdisplayed in the display region, a layout, a data format, and/or acharacter font. In each of the display regions, information of an objectis displayed. The display regions may be display units in which objectsare displayed (published) on a Web page, and may be called “cassettes”.The first display data is used to arrange and display a plurality ofdisplay regions (as a list) on the display screen of the user terminal2. The first display data providing unit 12 provides the user terminal 2with the first display data, thereby enabling the user terminal 2 todisplay a list of information of a plurality of objects such that theuser can select an operation-target object from the plurality ofobjects.

The first display data providing unit 12 may provide the first displaydata for dividing each display region into a plurality of sub regionsfor display. That is, the first display data providing unit 12 has afunction to generate the display regions which are each a group ofmultiple sub regions. The sub regions may be arbitrarily set for thedisplay regions. For example, the first display data providing unit 12provides the first display data that associates each type of informationdisplayed in a display region with a sub region. Alternatively, thefirst display data providing unit 12 may provide the first display datathat associates a plurality of types of information displayed in adisplay region with a sub region. The sub regions, like the displayregions, may be set as operation units. For example, the first displaydata providing unit 12 provides the user terminal 2 with the firstdisplay data for displaying display regions that each include aplurality of sub regions such that the user can select informationassociated with a sub region from among the plurality of sub regions.

The first display data may be displayed as a plurality of displayregions in such a manner that they can be scrolled sequentially. Here,scrolling refers to moving display data displayed on the display screenof the user terminal 2 gradually in a vertical (upward or downward) orhorizontal (leftward or rightward) direction so as to display a part ofdisplay data that is not settled within the display screen of the userterminal 2 and not displayed on the display screen. For example, in acase where the user terminal 2 has a display screen on which fivedisplay regions can be displayed at once, the user can display (browse)one or more display regions other than the five display regions byscrolling the displayed list.

The second display data providing unit 13 is configured to, when theuser selects one of the display regions displayed on the display screenof the user terminal 2 by performing a second operation, provide seconddisplay data so that detailed information of an object corresponding tothe selected display region is displayed. The second operation is, forexample, a tapping operation of tapping a display region. A plurality ofdisplay regions are displayed on the display screen of the user terminal2 based on the first display data. When the user selects a displayregion from the plurality of display regions on display by tapping thedisplay region, the second display data providing unit 13 displaysdetailed information of an object corresponding to the tapped displayregion by causing information to be displayed based on the seconddisplay data.

The detailed information of an object may include a part or all of theinformation stored in the information storage unit 11, or another pieceof information. That is, information included in the first display dataand information included in the second display data may be independentof each other. This allows the user to confirm details of the objectbased on the second display data.

In a case where the objects are restaurants, information of one store isdisplayed in one cassette (an example of the display region). A part ofinformation of the store, such as a store name, a photograph, a neareststation, and a special feature of the store, is displayed in eachcassette. A list of cassettes of a plurality of stores is displayed onthe display screen of the user terminal 2 based on the first displaydata. The first display data may be generated based on a result ofsearch that is performed by the user with a predetermined searchcondition. When the user performs the second operation on a cassetteamong a plurality of cassettes displayed in a list, detailed informationof a store of the cassette on which the second operation was performedis displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 2 based on thesecond display data. The detailed information of the store may includeinformation of the store displayed in a cassette, or may be informationindependent of the information of the store displayed in the cassette,such as information of a homepage of the store.

<First Object Comparison Method>

The first object comparison method provides a comparison among aplurality of objects by switching between displaying a list of aplurality of display regions of objects based on the first display dataand displaying detailed information of an object based on the seconddisplay data. The first object comparison method can be used wheninformation necessary for determining an object cannot be obtained fromthe displayed list of display regions.

The following describes an example of how to use the first objectcomparison method to make a comparison among restaurants. When a usermakes a comparison among restaurants, the user would confirm access froma certain railroad station, locational information, contents of partycourses, availability of reservation, for example. When the user cannotobtain, from the information displayed in the cassettes, information onwhich the user would like to confirm for comparison among therestaurants, the user selects, by performing the second operation, acassette of a store from a list of cassettes to display detailedinformation of the store and obtain desired information from thedisplayed detailed information. The first object comparison methodallows the user to make a comparison among a plurality of stores byswitching, a plurality of times, between displaying a list of cassettesand displaying detailed information of a store.

<Second Object Comparison Method>

The second object comparison method allows for a comparison among aplurality of objects by displaying a part or all of information on whichthe user would like to confirm to determine an object, by switchinginformation displayed in the display regions of objects based on thefirst display data. The switching of information displayed in thedisplay regions may be switching to the same type of information, or toa different type of information. The switching to the same type ofinformation is, for example in a case of information on access to thestore, switching from information of the nearest station (simpleinformation) to information including a route(s) from the neareststation (detailed information). In addition, the switching to adifferent type of information is, for example, switching frominformation on access to the store to information on course meals.

The switching instruction acquiring unit 14 is configured to acquire afirst switching instruction from the user terminal 2, wherein the firstswitching instruction is provided from the user terminal 2 when a firstoperation is performed on a display region displayed on the displayscreen of the user terminal 2. When the switching instruction acquiringunit 14 has acquired the first switching instruction, the informationswitching unit 15 switches information displayed in the display regionsbased on the first display data. The following describes examples ofexecution modes of the first operation.

[Scroll Operation on Display Regions]

The scroll operation on the display regions refers to moving informationdisplayed on a display region or a sub region gradually upward ordownward, or leftward or rightward so as to display a part of theinformation that is not settled within and not displayed on the displayscreen. The user can switch information displayed on a display region ora sub region to another one by performing the scroll operation to theend of the part of the information that had not been displayed, andfurther continuing the scroll operation. For example, in a case wherethe object is a restaurant, the user may perform the scroll operation oninformation of a course meal displayed in a sub region of a displayregion until the end of the information is displayed, and may furthercontinue the scroll operation so as to switch the information toinformation of the next course meal. The user may perform the scrolloperation in the reverse direction to as to return the informationdisplayed in the sub region or the display region to previouslydisplayed information. That is, the scroll operation may be performed toinstruct to switch information in accordance with the scroll direction.The switching instruction acquiring unit 14 acquires the switchinginstruction by recognizing, as the first operation, the scroll operationperformed on a display region (including a sub region) displayed on thedisplay screen.

[Swipe Operation on Display Regions]

The swipe operation on the display regions refers to an operation ofsliding a finger (including a touch pen or the like) in a state wherethe finger is in touch with a display region or a sub region displayedon the display screen of the user terminal 2. By performing the swipeoperation, the user can switch information displayed in a display regionor a sub region. For example, in a case where the object is arestaurant, the user may swipe information of a course meal displayed ina sub region so as to switch the information to information of the nextcourse meal. It is noted that since a sub region is a part of a displayregion, an operation onto the sub region may be distinguished from anoperation onto the display region. For example, when the user touches asub region in a state where the swipe operation can be performed on thesub region, the switching instruction acquiring unit 14 determines thesub region as the operation target. On the other hand, when the userstops a finger for a predetermined time period or more while the fingeris in touch with a sub region, the switching instruction acquiring unit14 determines the display region as the operation target. When theoperation target is a sub region, the user terminal 2 may change thedisplay color or the like of the sub region, and when the operationtarget is a display region, the user terminal 2 may change the displaycolor or the like of the display region. With such a configuration, theuser can visually recognize the operation target. As is the case withthe scroll operation, the user may perform the swipe operation in thereverse direction so as to return the information displayed in the subregion or the display region to previously displayed information.

The following describes some execution modes for switching informationdisplayed in a display region in response to the first operation. Theexecution modes described below may be implemented independently of eachother, or may be implemented at the same time. In addition, oneexecution mode may include another execution mode.

[Execution Mode to Switch Information in Display Region Upon Performanceof First Operation Therein]

In the execution mode to switch information in display region uponperformance of first operation therein, the information switching unit15 switches information in a sub region or a display region in which thesub region is included, upon performance of the first operation in thesub region. For example, in a case where a light display regions aredisplayed on the display screen of the user terminal 2, and each of thedisplay regions includes a plurality of sub regions, the informationswitching unit 15 switches information only in a sub region in which theuser has performed the swipe operation. Alternatively, in a displayregion that includes a sub region in which the user has performed theswipe operation, the information switching unit 15 may switchinformation in another sub region. For example, in a case where theobject is a restaurant, the information switching unit 15 switchesinformation in a restaurant when the user performs the first operationin a display region of the restaurant. When the user switchesinformation displayed in a sub region to information of a course meal byperforming the first operation, the information switching unit 15 mayswitch information in other sub regions of the store to information of acoupon that can be used for the course meal, or information includingword-of-mouth information on the course meal. The present execution modeimproves usability of the user by allowing the user to switch toinformation the user wants to confirm concerning an object the userwants to confirm.

[Execution Mode to Switch Information Based on Sub Region in which FirstOperation has been Performed]

In the execution mode to switch information based on a sub region inwhich the first operation has been performed, information displayed in asub region in which the first operation has been performed, or the sametype of information displayed in other sub regions of different displayregions, is switched. For example, in a case where a plurality ofdisplay regions are displayed on the display screen of the user terminal2 and each of the display regions includes a plurality of sub regions,the information switching unit 15 switches information only in a subregion in which the user has performed the swipe operation.Alternatively, the information switching unit 15 may switch the sametype of information displayed in other sub regions of different displayregions as the type of information displayed in the sub region in whichthe user has performed the swipe operation. For example, in a case wherethe object is a restaurant, when the user performs the first operationin a sub region of a store, the information switching unit 15 switchesthe same type of information in other sub regions of a plurality ofstores. When the user performs the first operation to switch informationdisplayed in a sub region to information of a distance from the neareststation, the information switching unit 15 may switch the same type ofinformation in other sub regions of other stores to information of adistance from the nearest station. The present execution mode improvesusability of the user by allowing the user to switch information of aplurality of objects based on a type of information the user wants toconfirm.

[Execution Mode to Maintain Shape of Display Region]

In an execution mode to maintain shape of display region, a part or allof information of an object displayed in a display region is switched toanother information of the object while the shape of the display regionis maintained. Examples of the shape of the display region include aquadrangle, a rounded corner quadrangle, a circle, and an oval.According to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily switchinformation displayed in the display region as desired for confirmationwhile maintaining the positional relationship among a plurality ofdisplay regions (objects), by switching information displayed in adisplay region while maintaining the shape of the display region basedon the first display data. This increases the usability of users.

[Execution Mode to Change Shape of Display Region]

In an execution mode to change shape of display region, a part or all ofinformation of an object displayed in a display region is switched toanother information of the object, and the shape of the display regionis changed while a position of a part of the display region currentlydisplayed on the display screen of the user terminal is fixed. Fixing aposition of a part of the display region currently displayed is, forexample, to fix a position of a point or a line in the display regioncurrently displayed on the display screen of the user terminal whilechanging the shape of the display region. Fixing a position of a pointor a line in a display region while changing the shape of the displayregion is, for example, to expand, shrink, or deform (hereinafter, “toexpand, shrink, or deform” may be referred to as “to expand or thelike”) the display region without changing a display position of a pointin the display region. Fixing a position of a point or a line in adisplay region while changing the shape of the display region may be toexpand or the like the display region centered on a display position ofa point in the display region.

For easy confirmation of contents of information of the objects in thedisplay regions, various elements such as the size, number of, ordisplay positions of characters, the size of images, the layout ofinformation and so on are taken into account. As a result, for sometypes of information of objects, changing the shape of the displayregions currently displayed may lead to easier confirmation ofinformation. For example, information including a lot of characters,information including a photograph, and information including a map maybecome easier to see if the display regions are larger. On the otherhand, for example, information on availability of reservation (forexample, Y or N) may be sufficiently easy to see even if the displayregions are small. In a case where the shape of the display regions ischanged in correspondence with the type of information, the displaypositions of the display regions in the display screen may change. Thedisplay position of a display region in the display screen is, forexample, a scroll position of the display region in a displayed list. Ina case where the display regions are scrollably displayed based on thefirst display data, if the shape of the display regions is changed, acurrently displayed display region may be shifted in position ordisappear from the display screen. In that case, it becomes difficultfor the user to find a display region up to which the user has browsed(scrolled). In view of this, the information switching unit 15 isconfigured to fix a position of a part of each display region currentlydisplayed on the display screen when switching from a part or all ofinformation of the objects in the display regions, to anotherinformation of the objects. This facilitates the user to find a displayregion up to which the user has browsed, increasing the usability of theuser.

In addition, regardless of whether or not the shape of display regionsis changed, the information switching unit 15 may switch a type ofinformation displayed in the display regions to another type ofinformation while maintaining to display the display regions on thedisplay screen. In a case where the information switching unit 15maintains to display the display regions on the display screen, the userwho has switched from a type of information to another type ofinformation can visually recognize the display region that the user iscurrently browsing. Accordingly, this increases the usability of theuser. It is noted that maintaining to display the display regions on thedisplay screen is to keep displaying, on the display screen, the displayregions in which the user has switched from a type of information toanother type of information. This is not to maintain the contents ofinformation (not change the information) displayed in the displayregions. In addition, as far as the display regions on the displayscreen are maintained to be displayed, the positions of the displayregions in the display screen may be moved. For example, in a case wherea cassette of store A and a cassette of store B are displayed on thedisplay screen of the user terminal 2, when a type of informationdisplayed in the cassette of store B is switched to another type ofinformation in accordance with a switching instruction from the user,the display position of the cassette of store B may be moved to aposition where the cassette of store A had been displayed.

Since the information providing apparatus 1 of the present embodimentprovides the second object comparison method as well as the first objectcomparison method, it provides the user with a wide range of objectcomparison methods. For example, in a case where information on whichthe user wants to confirm is displayed in the display regions, the usermay use the second object comparison method to make a comparison amongobjects while displaying the list of display regions. Furthermore, in acase where information on which the user wants to confirm includesinformation that cannot be displayed in the display region, the user mayuse the first object comparison method to make a comparison amongobjects by displaying detailed information of an object. The informationproviding apparatus 1 may be configured to execute either of the firstobject comparison method or the second object comparison method, or maybe configured to execute both methods.

In the present embodiment, the term “acquire” means both cases where: anentity from whom information is acquired initiatively transmits theinformation to an entity who acquires the information; and the entitywho acquires the information initiatively receives the information fromthe entity from whom the information is acquired. In addition, in thepresent embodiment, the term “provide” means both cases where: an entitywho provides information initiatively transmits the information to anentity who is provided with the information; and the entity who isprovided with the information initiatively receives the information fromthe entity who provides the information. That is, the terms “acquire”and “provide” indicate directions in which information flows, notlimiting the subjects of transmission and reception.

In the second object comparison method, the user performs the firstoperation on the user terminal 2 to provide the switching instructionacquiring unit 14 with a switching instruction that instructs to switchinformation displayed in the display region based on the first displaydata. That is, the user can easily make a comparison among a pluralityof objects by displaying, in the display region, a part or all ofinformation on which the user wants to confirm for the comparison amongthe objects.

Next, a description is given of a case where the second objectcomparison method is used to, for example, make a comparison amongrestaurants. When a user wants to confirm the access from a railroadstation, the user performs the first operation on the user terminal 2 tocause the user terminal 2 to provide the information providing apparatus1 with a switching instruction that instructs to display, in the displayregion, information of the access from a railroad station. Similarly,when a user would like to confirm contents of party courses, the userperforms the first operation on the user terminal 2 to cause the userterminal 2 to provide the information providing apparatus 1 with aswitching instruction that instructs to display, in the display region,information of contents of party courses.

As described above, a plurality of display regions are displayed on thedisplay screen of the user terminal 2 based on the first display data.As a result, the size of each display region may be restricted, and theamount of information that can be displayed in each display region maybe restricted. The information providing apparatus 1 may have anotification function such that when it is expected that an amount ofinformation displayed in each display region would exceed theupper-limit if a type of information currently displayed in the displayregions were switched to another in accordance with a switchinginstruction, the information providing apparatus 1 notifies the userterminal 2 that the type of information cannot be switched. In addition,the information providing apparatus 1 may have a notification functionsuch that when it is expected that an amount of information displayed ineach display region would exceed the upper-limit if a type ofinformation currently displayed in the display regions were switched toanother in accordance with a switching instruction, information of anamount that does not exceed the upper-limit is displayed, and theinformation providing apparatus 1 notifies the user terminal 2 that notall of information available is displayed in the display region afterswitching the type of information. In the present embodiment, adescription is given on the supposition that the information switchingunit 15 has the above-described notification functions. The notificationfunctions may be included in another function unit such as the switchinginstruction acquiring unit 14.

The switching means providing unit 16 provides the user terminal 2 witha switching means for acquiring a switching instruction from the userterminal 2. The switching instruction acquiring unit 14 acquires aswitching instruction from the user terminal 2 when the user performsthe first operation on the switching means.

As described above, the switching means is a means for enabling theswitching instruction to be provided when the scroll operation isperformed on a display region. For example, the switching means is thefirst display data for displaying a scroll bar for the scroll operationin the display regions, or a control command for imparting, to a hardkey of the user terminal 2, a function to scroll the display regions.Alternatively, the switching means may be the first display data forperforming the swipe operation in the display regions. The switchingmeans providing unit 16 may provide the user terminal 2 with theswitching means as a part of the first display data.

The searching means providing unit 17 is configured to provide the userterminal 2 with a searching means that allows the user to set a searchcondition for searching for an object(s) based on the information storedin the information storage unit 11. When the user terminal 2 is providedwith the first display data in which a type of information concerningobjects has been switched to another, and then an operation is performedon the user terminal 2 to return from a display of the first displaydata to setting of a search condition, the searching means providingunit 17 provides the user terminal 2 with the searching means again. “Anoperation is performed to return” is to press a “RETURN” button (a softkey or a hard key) of the browser, or to operate a return buttonincluded in the second display data. The user can return the displaycontent displayed on the display screen to a display content previouslydisplayed. Even after the user has performed switching the type ofinformation displayed in the display regions many times, the searchingmeans providing unit 17 provides the searching means again when the“return” operation is performed. This facilitates the user to search foran object(s). With this configuration, the user can execute a searchagain without considering whether or not the type of information hasbeen switched.

It is noted that the functions of the information storage unit 11, thefirst display data providing unit 12, the second display data providingunit 13, the switching instruction acquiring unit 14, the informationswitching unit 15, the switching means providing unit 16, and thesearching means providing unit 17 included in the information providingapparatus 1 are an example of the functions of the information providingapparatus 1, and should not be construed to limit the functions of theinformation providing apparatus 1. For example, the informationproviding apparatus 1 may not include all of the above-mentionedfunctions, but may include a part thereof. In addition, the informationproviding apparatus 1 may include a function(s) as well as theabove-mentioned functions. For example, the information providingapparatus 1 may include an input function for setting functions, or anoutput function for notifying the operation status of the apparatus byan LED lamp or the like.

It has been described above that the above-mentioned functions of theinformation providing apparatus 1 are realized by software. However, oneor more functions among the above-mentioned functions of the informationproviding apparatus 1 may be realized by hardware.

In addition, any one of the above-mentioned functions of the informationproviding apparatus 1 may be divided into a plurality of functions forimplementation. Furthermore, two or more functions among theabove-mentioned functions of the information providing apparatus 1 maybe integrated into one for implementation. Thus, although FIG. 1 showsthe functions of the information providing apparatus 1 in the form offunction blocks, it does not indicate that each of the functions isrealized as an independent program file, for example.

The information providing apparatus 1 may be realized in one housing, ormay be a system including a plurality of apparatuses that are connectedto each other via a network or the like. The information providingapparatus 1 may be realized as a virtual apparatus such as a cloudservice that provides a part or all of the functions of the informationproviding apparatus 1 by a cloud computing system. One or more functionsamong the functions of the information providing apparatus 1 may berealized by other apparatus(es). Furthermore, the information providingapparatus 1 may be a general-purpose computer such as a serverapparatus, or may be a dedicated apparatus having limited functions.

Next, a hardware configuration of the information providing apparatus 1is described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showingan example of a hardware configuration of the information providingapparatus 1 in the embodiment.

The information providing apparatus 1 includes a CPU (Central ProcessingUnit) 101, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory)103, a touch panel 104, and a communication interface 105. Theinformation providing apparatus 1 is configured to execute aninformation providing program as explained with reference to FIG. 1.

The CPU 101 controls the information providing apparatus 1 by executingthe information providing program stored in the RAM 102 or the ROM 103.The information providing program is obtained from, for example, anon-transitory recording medium recorded with the information providingprogram, or from a program distribution server via a network, isinstalled into the ROM 103, and is read and executed by the CPU 101.

The touch panel 104 has an operation input function and a displayfunction (operation display function). The touch panel 104 allows theuser of the information providing apparatus 1 to input an operation byusing a finger tip, a touch pen or the like. Although the presentembodiment describes a case where the information providing apparatus 1uses the touch panel 104 having an operation/display function, theinformation providing apparatus 1 may include a display device having adisplay function, and an operation input device having an operationinput function, individually. In that case, the display screen of thetouch panel 104 can be implemented as the display screen of the displaydevice, and an operation of the touch panel 104 can be implemented as anoperation of the operation input device. The touch panel 104 can berealized in various forms such as a head-mounted display, aneyeglasses-type display, or a watch-type display, for example.

The communication interface 105 is an interface for a wirelesscommunication. The communication interface 105 executes a short-rangewireless communication such as a wireless LAN, a wired LAN, or aninfrared LAN. FIG. 2 shows only one communication interface, namely, thecommunication interface 105. However, the information providingapparatus 1 may include a plurality of communication interfacesrespectively for a plurality of communication systems.

Next, an operation of the information providing program is describedwith reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example ofthe operation of the information providing program in the presentembodiment. In the following flowchart, the information providingapparatus 1 is described as the processing execution subject. However,each process of the steps is executed by a corresponding function amongthe above-mentioned functions of the information providing apparatus 1.It is noted that the present invention may be realized as anon-transitory recording medium recorded with the information providingprogram.

With reference to FIG. 3, the information providing apparatus 1 providesthe user terminal 2 with display data for searching, as a searchingmeans for setting a search condition (step S11). The display data forsearching is provided by the searching means providing unit 17. Thesearch condition is used to search for object(s). Upon acquiring thedisplay data for setting a search condition, the user terminal 2displays a search screen on the display screen so that a searchcondition for searching for object(s) can be input on the search screen.On the search screen, the user inputs a search condition for searchingfor object(s), and presses a search execution button. For example, whenthe object to be searched for is a restaurant, the search condition maybe a genre of food such as “Japanese food”, “Western-style food”, or“Chinese food”. The search condition may be a region in which the storeis present, a use scene or purpose, a type of course, equipment orservices of the store, availability of smoking, or a free keyword. Theuser terminal 2 provides the information providing apparatus 1 with thesearch condition that has been input on the search screen.

Following the execution of step S11, the information providing apparatus1 determines whether or not it has acquired a search condition from theuser terminal 2 (step S12). Upon determines that it has not acquired asearch condition from the user terminal 2 (step S12: NO), theinformation providing apparatus 1 waits for a search condition to beacquired by repeating the process of step S12.

Upon determining that it has acquired a search condition from the userterminal 2 (step S12: YES), the information providing apparatus 1generates first display data based on the set search condition (stepS13). The first display data may be generated by searching for object(s)that satisfy the acquired search condition, extracting informationconcerning the object(s) to be displayed in display regions, andgenerating display data for displaying a list of the display regions ina predetermined order. The search of the object(s) may be performed byreferring to information concerning objects stored in the informationstorage unit 11, and identifying an object(s) that satisfy the searchcondition. In a case where no search condition has been input, theinformation providing apparatus 1 may extract information of allobjects.

The type(s) of information displayed in the display regions based on thefirst display data is preliminarily set (default setting). The type(s)of information set by the default setting may be set for each user, orin common with all users. In addition, the information providingapparatus 1 may preliminarily store previously displayed types ofinformation for each user, and generate the first display data withinformation of the same types as the previously displayed types ofinformation.

Following the execution of step S13, the information providing apparatus1 provides the user terminal 2 with the first display data (step S14).This may be realized by the first display data providing unit 12providing the first display data for arranging a plurality of displayregions. The display regions are each a region in which a part ofinformation stored in the information storage unit 11 is displayed foreach object in a predetermined display shape, and may be called“cassettes”. The information providing apparatus 1 is capable ofimproving the visibility of the information displayed in the list byunifying the type(s) of information displayed in the display regions andthe shape of the display region for each of the objects.

Following the execution of step S14, the information providing apparatus1 provides the user terminal 2 with a switching means (step S15). Theswitching means is an operation means for switching among a plurality oftypes of information displayed in the display regions, and is a button,a pull-down menu, a floating window or the like that is operablydisplayed on the display screen of the user terminal 2. The useroperates the switching means to provide the information providingapparatus 1 with a switching instruction. It is noted that since theswitching means is also a part of the display data, the informationproviding apparatus 1 may generate and provide first display data thatincludes the switching means.

Following the execution of step S15, the information providing apparatus1 determines whether or not it has acquired a switching instruction(step S16). The determination may be made by determining whether or notthe switching instruction acquiring unit 14 has acquired a switchinginstruction from the user terminal 2. The switching instruction isacquired when the user performs the first operation on the displayregions. As described above, the first operation includes the scrolloperation performed on the display regions (including the scrolloperation performed in the reverse direction to return to previouslydisplayed information) and the swipe operation (including the swipeoperation performed in the reverse direction to return to previouslydisplayed information). Upon determining that it has acquired aswitching instruction (step S16: YES), the information providingapparatus 1 generates (re-generates) the first display data in which thetype(s) of information displayed in the display regions has beenswitched to another type(s) of information in accordance with theswitching instruction (step S13), provides the user terminal 2 with thefirst display data (step S14), and provides the user terminal 2 with theswitching means (step S15). By re-generating the first display data,information of an object that the user wants to confirm is displayed inthe display region. That is, when the information providing apparatus 1determines in step S16 that it has acquired a switching instruction, theinformation providing apparatus 1 allows the user to make a comparisonamong objects by the above-described second object comparison method.

Upon determining that it has not acquired a switching instruction (stepS16: NO), the information providing apparatus 1 determines whether ornot a “return” operation has been performed (step S17). Upon determiningthat a “return” operation has been performed (step S17: YES), theinformation providing apparatus 1 executes the processes of step S11 andonward so that the user terminal 2 can set the search condition.

Upon determining that a “return” operation has not been performed (stepS17: NO), the information providing apparatus 1 determines whether ornot a display region has been selected from a plurality of displayregions displayed on the user terminal 2 (step S18). A display regionmay be selected when the user operates (taps) the display region. Upondetermining that a display region has not been selected (step S18: NO),the information providing apparatus 1 returns to step S16 to determinewhether or not it has acquired a switching instruction.

Upon determining that a display region has been selected (step S18:YES), the information providing apparatus 1 generates the second displaydata (step S19). The second display data is used to display details ofan object. The details of the object may include a part or all ofinformation of the object stored in the information storage unit 11, orinclude other information.

Following the execution of step S19, the information providing apparatus1 provides the user terminal 2 with the second display data generated instep S19 (step S20). The second display data may include a button forreturning to the display based on the first display data.

Following the execution of the process of step S20, the informationproviding apparatus 1 determines whether or not a “return” operation hasbeen performed (step S21). To perform the “return” operation, a “RETURN”button of the browser may be pressed, or a return button included in thesecond display data may be operated. Upon determining that a “return”operation has not been performed (step S21: NO), the informationproviding apparatus 1 waits for a “return” operation to be performed byrepeating the process of step S21. Detailed information of the object isdisplayed on the display screen of the user terminal 2 based on thesecond display data until the “return” operation is performed.

Upon determining that the “return” operation has been performed (stepS21: YES), the information providing apparatus 1 returns to the processof step S14, and the generated first display data (or the first displaydata in which the type of information has been switched to another in acase where the type of information displayed in the display region hasbeen switched to another type of information) is provided to the userterminal 2.

It is noted that although the process of the flowchart shown in thefigure is supposed to be repeated, the process may be interrupted when aprocess for interrupting the communication (session) is executed on theuser terminal 2.

The processes performed by the information providing apparatus 1 in thesteps of the present embodiment should not be construed to limit theexecution order.

Next, a description is given of how information is displayed on asmartphone, an example of the user terminal 2, with reference to FIG. 4Ato FIG. 7C. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, FIG. 6A and FIG.6B, and FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C show examples of how information concerningobjects is displayed according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show an execution mode in which when the userperforms the first operation in a sub region included in one of aplurality of cassettes displayed, information displayed in a displayregion including the sub region is switched to another information.

FIG. 4A shows that a list 21 is displayed on a touch panel of the userterminal 2 (smartphone) based on the first display data, the list 21being a list of display regions. In the list 21, cassettes C1 and C2 aredisplayed as specific examples of the display regions. By scrolling thelist 21 vertically, the user can display a plurality of pieces ofinformation concerning stores (not shown) on the user terminal 2. Thecassette C1 includes a first region C11, a second region C12, and athird region C13. The cassette C2 includes a first region C21, a secondregion C22, and a third region C23. The first region C11 of the cassetteC1 and the first region C21 of the cassette C2 display the same type ofinformation. Similarly, the second region C12 of the cassette C1 and thesecond region C22 of the cassette C2 display the same type ofinformation, and the third region C13 of the cassette C1 and the thirdregion C23 of the cassette C2 display the same type of information. Thecassettes C1 and C2 display the same types of information in the displayregions and the sub regions of the same rectangular shape. Displayingthe same types of information in the cassettes and sub regions of thesame shape makes it possible for the user to make a comparison amonginformation displayed in the cassettes in the list 21.

Information x11 is displayed in the first region C11. Information y11 isdisplayed in the second region C12. Information z11 is displayed in thethird region C13. Information x21 is displayed in the first region C21.Information y21 is displayed in the second region C22. Information z21is displayed in the third region C23.

The halftone in the second region C12 indicates that the user hasperformed the first operation in the second region C12. FIG. 4B shows anexample of how information is displayed on the user terminal 2 when theuser performs the first operation in the second region C12.

In FIG. 4B, information displayed in the first region C11 of thecassette C1 has been switched from the information x11 to informationx12. Information displayed in the second region C12 has been switchedfrom the information y11 to information y12. Furthermore, informationdisplayed in the third region C13 has been switched from the informationz11 to information z12. On the other hand, information displayed in thedisplay region of the cassette C2 has not been switched. For example, ina case where the information y12 displayed in the second region C12 ishighly related to the information x12 or the information z12, wheninformation displayed in the first region C11 and the third region C13is switched to other information in conjunction with the informationy12, the user can confirm the information related to the information y12all at once. This improves the usability of users.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show an execution mode in which when the userperforms the first operation in a sub region included in one of aplurality of cassettes displayed, only information displayed in the subregion in which the first operation has been performed, is switched toanother information. It is noted that FIG. 5A is the same as FIG. 4A,and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 5B shows an example of how information is displayed on the userterminal 2 when the user performs the first operation in the secondregion C12. In FIG. 5B, information displayed in a second region C14 hasbeen switched from the information y11 to information y14. The displayregion of the second region C14 was expanded when information displayedtherein was switched from the information y11 to the information y14while the display position of a side of the second region C14 at theborder from the first region C11 was not changed. On the other hand,information displayed in the first region C11 of the cassette C1,information displayed in the third region C13, and information displayedin the cassette C2 has not been switched. For example, in a case wherethe information y14 displayed in the second region C14 is mapinformation and requires a wide display region, when the sub region ofthe second region C14 is expanded and information is switched, thevisibility of the information y14 is improved. This improves theusability of users.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B show an execution mode in which when the userperforms the first operation in a sub region included in one of aplurality of cassettes displayed, information is switched based on thesub region in which the first operation has been performed. It is notedthat FIG. 6A is the same as FIG. 4A, and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 6B shows an example of how information is displayed on the userterminal 2 when the user performs the first operation in the secondregion C12. In FIG. 6B, information displayed in the second region C12has been switched from the information y11 to the information y12. Inaddition, information displayed in the second region C22 of the cassetteC2 which is the same type of information as the information displayed inthe second region C12, has been switched from the information y21 to theinformation y22. On the other hand, information displayed in the firstregion C11 and the third region C13 of the cassette C1, and informationdisplayed in the first region C21 and the third region C23 of thecassette C2 has not been switched. In this way, the same type ofinformation displayed in a plurality of cassettes is switched all atonce. This allows the user to confirm information in a plurality ofcassettes in a list, thereby improving the usability of users.

FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C show an execution mode in which displayed informationis switched based on a scroll operation performed on the displayregions. The third region C13 shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B is a subregion of the cassette C1.

With reference to FIG. 7A, the third region C13 includes a scroll barC131. The scroll bar C131 is located at the left end of the third regionC13 in FIG. 7A, and the information z11 is displayed in the third regionC13.

With reference to FIG. 7B, when the user performs the scroll operationon the scroll bar C131 to scroll it rightward in FIG. 7B, informationdisplayed in the third region C13 gradually switches from theinformation z11 to the information z12 in correspondence with theposition of the scroll bar C131.

With reference to FIG. 7C, when the user performs the scroll operationon the scroll bar C131 to scroll it to the right end of the third regionC13 in FIG. 7C, the information displayed in the third region C13switches to information z14 that is the last information to be displayedin the third region C13.

It is noted that when the user performs the scroll operation on thescroll bar C131 to scroll it leftward in FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C, theinformation displayed in the third region C13 gradually returns topreviously displayed information. In addition, although FIG. 7A to FIG.7C show an example of the scroll operation for which the scroll bar C131is used, the scroll operation may be realized by operation of a hard keysuch as a volume key provided on the user terminal 2.

A program for realizing the functions of the apparatus described in thepresent embodiment may be recorded on a non-transitory computer-readablerecording medium, and the program may be read into a computer systemfrom the recording medium such that the above-described processes of thepresent embodiment are executed as the program is executed in thecomputer system. It is noted that the “computer system” mentioned heremay include an OS (operating system) and hardware such as peripheraldevices. Furthermore, in a case where a www system is used, the“computer system” may include a homepage provision environment (ordisplay environment). In addition, the “non-transitory computer-readablerecording medium” refers to a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, aROM, a writable non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, a portablemedium such as a CD-ROM, a storage device embedded in a computer systemsuch as a hard disk, or the like.

The “non-transitory computer-readable recording medium” includes arecording medium that holds a program for a predetermined time period,such as a volatile memory (e.g., DRAM: Dynamic Random Access Memory)that is provided in the inside of a computer system and works as aserver or a client in a case where a program is transmitted via anetwork such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephoneline. In addition, the above-mentioned program may be transmitted fromthe computer system having a storage device in which the program isstored, to another computer system via a transmission medium or atransmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmissionmedium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having afunction to transmit information, such as a network (communicationnetwork) such as the Internet, or a communication line such as atelephone line. In addition, the program may realize a part of theabove-mentioned functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-calleddifferential file (differential program) that realizes theabove-mentioned functions in combination with a program that has beenrecorded in the computer system.

An embodiment of the present invention is described above with referenceto the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention should notbe construed to be limited to such a specific configuration, but mayinclude many modifications and variations without deviating from thescope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: at least one memoryconfigured to store computer program code; and at least one processorconfigured to access the at least one memory and operate according tothe computer program code to: store a plurality of pieces of informationconcerning a plurality of objects; provide first display data forarranging and displaying a plurality of display regions on a displayscreen of a user terminal in a predetermined display shape respectively,each display region corresponding to a respective one of the pluralityof objects such that a part of the stored pieces of informationconcerning the object is displayed in the corresponding one of theplurality of display regions; acquire a switching instruction thatindicates a first operation performed on one of the display regionsdisplayed on the display screen of the user terminal; and in response tothe switching instruction being acquired, switch information displayedin the one of the display regions to another piece of information whilemaintaining the information displayed in remaining display regions,based on the first display data, wherein: the first display data forincludes dividing data for dividing each of the plurality of displayregions into a plurality of sub regions for display, each sub regiondisplaying a different type of information of the stored pieces ofinformation concerning the object corresponding to the display region;and when the information displayed in a sub region of the one of thedisplay regions is switched based on the first operation being performedin the sub region, information in a corresponding sub region of theother display regions is switched, while maintaining informationdisplayed in remaining sub regions of the display regions.
 2. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first operation is a scrolloperation.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the firstoperation is a swipe operation.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein: the information displayed in the one of the display regions isswitched based on the sub region of the one of the display regions inwhich the first operation has been performed.
 5. The apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the at least one processor accesses the at least onememory and operates according to the computer program code to further:in response to receiving an instruction indicating that a secondoperation is performed in a display region among the plurality ofdisplay regions displayed on the display screen, provide second displaydata for displaying detailed information of the object corresponding tothe display region in which the second operation has been performed. 6.The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the display region in whichthe second operation has been performed is the one of the displayregions.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information isswitched while maintaining a shape of each of the display regions. 8.The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is switchedwhile continuing to display the display regions on the display screen.9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least oneprocessor accesses the at least one memory and operates according to thecomputer program code to further: change a shape of each of the displayregions displayed on the display screen of the user terminal whilefixing a position of a part of each of the display regions, and switchthe information displayed in the one of the display regions.
 10. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processoraccesses the at least one memory and operates according to the computerprogram code to further: change a shape of each of the display regionsthat are scrollably displayed on the display screen of the userterminal, while fixing a scroll position on the display regions, andswitch the information displayed in the one of the display regions. 11.The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processoraccesses the at least one memory and operates according to the computerprogram code to further: notify the user terminal that not all ofinformation available is displayed in the display regions.
 12. A methodcomprising: storing a plurality of pieces of information concerning aplurality of objects; providing first display data for arranging anddisplaying a plurality of display regions on a display screen of a userterminal in a predetermined display shape respectively, each displayregion corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of objectssuch that a part of the stored pieces of information concerning theobject is displayed in the corresponding one of the plurality of displayregions; acquiring a switching instruction that indicates a firstoperation performed on one of the display regions displayed on thedisplay screen of the user terminal; and in response to the switchinginstruction being acquired, switch information displayed in the one ofthe display regions to another piece of information while maintainingthe information displayed in remaining display regions, based on thefirst display data, wherein: the first display data for includesdividing data for dividing each of the plurality of display regions intoa plurality of sub regions for display, each sub region displaying adifferent type of information of the stored pieces of informationconcerning the object corresponding to the display region; and when theinformation displayed in a sub region of the one of the display regionsis switched based on the first operation being performed in the subregion, information in a corresponding sub region of the other displayregions is switched, while maintaining information displayed inremaining sub regions of the display regions.
 13. A non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium storing an information providingprogram which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the atleast one processor to: store a plurality of pieces of informationconcerning a plurality of objects; provide first display data forarranging and displaying a plurality of display regions on a displayscreen of a user terminal in a predetermined display shape respectively,each display region corresponding to a respective one of the pluralityof objects such that a part of the stored pieces of informationconcerning the object is displayed in the corresponding one of theplurality of display regions; acquire a switching instruction thatindicates a first operation performed on one of the display regionsdisplayed on the display screen of the user terminal; and in response tothe switching instruction being acquired, switch information displayedin the one of the display regions to another piece of information whilemaintaining the information displayed in remaining display regions,based on the first display data, wherein: the first display data forincludes dividing data for dividing each of the plurality of displayregions into a plurality of sub regions for display, each sub regiondisplaying a different type of information of the stored pieces ofinformation concerning the object corresponding to the display region;and when the information displayed in a sub region of the one of thedisplay regions is switched based on the first operation being performedin the sub region, information in a corresponding sub region of theother display regions is switched, while maintaining informationdisplayed in remaining sub regions of the display regions.
 14. Anon-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a user terminalcontrol program for a user terminal which, when executed by at least oneprocessor of the user terminal, causes the at least one processor to:acquire, from a server, first display data for displaying a plurality ofdisplay regions in a predetermined display shape respectively, eachdisplay region corresponding to a respective one of a plurality ofobjects such that a part of a plurality of pieces of informationconcerning the plurality of objects concerning the object is displayedin the corresponding one of the plurality of display regions; arrangeand display the plurality of display regions on a display screen of theuser terminal based on the acquired first display data; receive a firstoperation from a user on one of the plurality of display regions;provide the server with a switching instruction indicating the firstoperation and the one of the plurality of display regions; receiving,from the server, second display data for switching the informationdisplayed in the one of the display regions to another piece ofinformation; and switching the information displayed in the one of thedisplay regions to the another piece of information while maintainingthe information displayed in remaining display regions, based on thesecond display data, wherein: the first display data for includesdividing data for dividing each of the plurality of display regions intoa plurality of sub regions for display, each sub region displaying adifferent type of information of the stored pieces of informationconcerning the object corresponding to the display region; and when theinformation displayed in a sub region of the one of the display regionsis switched based on the first operation being performed in the subregion, information in a corresponding sub region of the other displayregions is switched, while maintaining information displayed inremaining sub regions of the display regions.
 15. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium according to claim 14, wherein thefirst operation is one of a scroll operation and a swipe operation. 16.The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim14, wherein: the server is provided with the switching instructionindicating the first operation, and the sub region of the one of thedisplay regions in which the first operation was performed.
 17. Theapparatus of according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of objectscomprise stores, and wherein the first display data is for arranging anddisplaying the plurality of display regions in a list on the displayscreen of the user terminal.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the first display data is for arranging and displaying theplurality of display regions in a list on the display screen of the userterminal.